Improved step-laddee



@uiten ta'trs atat @Hita Letters Patent No. 67,710, dated August 13, 1867.

IMPROVED STEP-LADDER.

dlgs .sfigata mitra tu in tlgise tetttrs gnant ma making gaat at tigt sana.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CON UhltN Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. BERNTHEISEL, o? West Hemptleld township, in the county of Lancaster, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invent-ed a new and useful Improvement on Step-Ladders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being hadto the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a step-ladder with my improvement in place.

Figure 2, the same folded together.

Figure 3 shows my improvement detached.

Figure 4, the bucket-holder with its hook detached.

The-nature of my invention consists in the notched side braces framed together so as to give greater firmness to thesteps by being not only braced on the sides but also across the supporting-legs by connecting firmly the rear crosspiece with the side pieces Working en a pivot-bolt, and so as to fold up closely and mechanically without drawing out pins or hooks; also facilitating the spreading and closing of the same. I also provide a loose platform with a hook to fasten upon the steps for holding a bucket of Water, whitewash, or the like.

The drawings so clearly show the construction of the step and the improvement that a few words of explanation will enable any one skilled in the business to make and use my invention. f

The steps and hinged supports framed together with cross-braces are not new, norvare side braces xed by a pivot on the steps, and hooked into a staple orotherwise secured to the upright supports. Independent back braces may alsohave been used. I do not claim any such braces as shown in patents 34,100, 30,726, 42,565, 44,391, die., all contrived with a View of improvement with the several combinations claimed for each. My improvement consists in attaching my side braces A, iig. 3, by a pivot-bolt, a, to the sides of the steps, as shown in iig. 1, uniting the rear ends by a cross-frame, B. I also aHix a catch, c, on the outsides of tlie supports, so that the notch b cut out of the jointed and pivoted si'de braces A, locks into said catch e from above and rmly braces the steps and supports in every direction, as a unit, or one combined triple brace. The uprights being framed and hinged in the ordinary most approved manuel', as shown, fold up against-the step, while the combined vbrace A BA mechanically unlocks, and allows the supports to come in close contact with the step, while the framed cross-piece B ties them together and contines all the parts without disconnecting any portion at any point. lFor setting the same up it is only necessary to draw out the supports; the braces A B A will drop into their catch by their own gravity, or, as they necessarily must, being actuated by the folding up or spreading apart of the steps and supports. rlhis step being in other respects equal to the best is improved by this simple device, which not only braces all the parts but facilitates the folding up and spreading out. I also show a movable board or platform, l?, with a broad clasp-hook, h, fig. 4. This, I am aware, is a very simple means for supporting a. bucket, and raising it from one step to the ohther by hooking it, the board P, over the step so as to project forward to give room for a vessel to hold water, paint, or whitewash. I am not aware that it has ever been introduced or known prior to my application of the same for such a purpose, simple as it is.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The arrangement of the side braces A A with their pivot a and notch b, when united with a cross-brace B, in combination with the catch c and hinged supports of the step, all combined in the manner shown and described.

In combination with the combined braces AB A and steps, I also claim the platform P with its clasp-hook it, made in the manner and for the purpose shown and specified.

WILLIAM IV. BERNTHEISEL.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM Romances, J onu M. GnIDEn. 

